(10/31/04) THROGS NECK - As the weather gets colder and the daylight hours grow shorter, some Bronx residents say their moods also get darker. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression brought about by the change in seasons. Daylight hours are decreasing daily now that the clocks have been turned back an hour.

Doctors say as many as six percent of Americans may suffer from severe winter depression. Another 10-20 percent may experience a mild form of SAD. Doctors say symptoms include social withdrawal, oversleeping and overeating with cravings for sweet, starchy foods. A lack of energy and decreased interest in normal activities are also associated with SAD.

Medical experts say Seasonal Affective Disorder is more common in woman than in men, and it rarely begins in people younger than 20. Doctors say eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly are effective ways of fighting SAD.